EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's soccer team used a three-goal outburst in the second half en route to a 3-0 victory over St. Peter's on Sunday afternoon at Oaks Stadium. Alyssa Finelli scored the game-winner and Jill Dozier added a pair of insurance goals in the victory.

After a scoreless opening half, Lafayette was able to solve St. Peter's goalkeeper Caitlin Hoffer in the 57th minute when Finelli netted her first goal of the season. Nicole Lee controlled the ball in the center of the pitch, made a move around a defender and slid a pass to Finelli inside the Peahens' 18. Finelli ripped a left-footed strike that Hoffer got a hand on, but it found the far side of the goal to put Lafayette ahead.

Laura Zito had a chance to make it 2-0 in the 69th minute, but Hoffer made a one-handed stop on Zito's header off Anna Wissler's cross.

Lauren Smedley, who made four saves in her 23rd career shutout, kept the Leopards in front with 12 minutes to play when she challenged Emily Fenice's shot at the top of the penalty area. After the save, Jessica Melendez pushed the rebound over the bar.

Dozier's goals came in the 85th and 89th minute, respectively, and the senior's two-goal effort moves her into a tie for sixth all-time in the Lafayette record books with 12 career tallies.

"Today was a good response from the disappointment of Friday night," head coach Mick Statham said. "The team deserves a lot of credit."

The goal-less first 45 minutes did not go without chances for Lafayette. Defender Kelly Boyce sent a ball from midfield over the top of the St. Peter's defense to Jill Dozier, who volleyed the bouncing ball from the top of the 18, but the shot bounced off the far post to keep the game scoreless.

With 27:51 remaining in the first half, Dozier had another chance to put Lafayette on top, this time after she shielded a St. Peter's defender off a through ball by Allie Torru. Dozier took the pass inside St. Peter's penalty area and took a touch before her shot was knocked aside by Hoffer.

Lafayette continued to apply the pressure offensively, and forced Hoffer to make another save with 19 minutes to play before halftime. Zito flicked on a header to Nicole Brownell, but the senior couldn't get off a shot and was stopped in close by Hoffer.

Sophomore Jaclyn Giordano had two scoring opportunities for the Maroon and White 39 seconds apart in the 32nd minute. Hoffer came off her line to stop the first attempt before Giordano took a pass from Madison Murray behind the Peahens' back line and sailed a shot over the crossbar. Hoffer finished with nine saves on the day.

Lafayette dictated the play throughout the match, outshooting St. Peter's 24-7. The Leopards also had a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks.

"We didn't make many adjustments at the half," Statham added. "I thought we created more chances in the first half, but were more clinical with our chances in the second."

Lafayette's next game is on Friday at 7 p.m. when it travels to the Empire State to play Manhattan.

Game Notes:

Lafayette improves to 12-5-1 all-time against Saint Peter's

The Leopards are now 12-0-1 since 2000 against St. Peter's and haven't allowed a goal against the Peahens since 2002

Lafayette is now 10-10-3 in home openers

Freshman Allie Torru made her first career start for Lafayette and registered her first career point

Smedley ties Ashley Wesmiller '03 for the most games started (56) by a Lafayette goalkeeper in program history

The 3-0 win is the largest margin of victory for Lafayette since it defeated Delaware State, 4-0, on Sept. 4, 2009

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Lafayette Athletics, as a partner in the mission of the College, provides an incredibly effective learning experience for student-athletes through competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Lafayette sponsors 23 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes.